Storage device.



No. 687,49I. Patehted Nov. 26, IQOI.

R.- B; AYRES. STORAGE DEVICE.

(Application filed July 1'7, 1901.) (Np Modal.) .5Sheefs-Sheet I. I mm ul mill WITNESSES:

' m5 "cams PETERS co.. Pubroumu, wasnmamu. n, c.

STORAGE DEVICE.

(Application filed July 17, 1901.)

(No Model.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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I I h ATTORNEY in: NORRIS rz rtns coy. Prism-Lyman iusnwsrom No. 687,49l. Patented Nov. 26, I90l.

n. B. AYRES.

STORAGE DEVICE;

(Applies-thin filed July 17, 1901.) (No lllodel.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 3. .21

ESSES: I INVENTUR x W @W fiazmfidyrw.

- ATTORNEY No. 687,49l. Patented Nov. 26, mm. R. B. AYRES.

STORAGE mavlcs;

(Application filed July 17, 1901.)

(No Model.) 5 Sl'ieefs-Shest -4.

F 4 H T I WITNESSES INVENTOR g f 19'. v Zazen .fiyras. mm 4 y 49 s J ATTORNEY 1.1 Li L-1 m m 67 2 V U N d e t n e t a P S E Du Y A & mm m 7 8 6 n N STORAGE DEVICE.

(Application filed July 17, 1901.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

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ATTORNEY TNE NORRIS PETERS cc, Puo ouma, WASHINGTON. a. c.

- UNITED STATES {PATENT OFFICE.

REUBEN B. AYRES, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

STO RAG E DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 687,491, dated November 26, 1901.

Application filed July 17, 1901.

T0 aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be itknown that I, REUBEN B. AYREs,a citizen of the United States,residing at New York, State of New York, have-invented certain new and useful Improvements in Storage Devices, of which the following is a clear, full, and exact description.

My invention relates to storage devices for thehandlingand storing offurniture and other articles; and my object is to provide a warehouse which shall be cheap and fireproof and also to provide means for easily handling the articles to be stored and so that they will be better preserved in storage.

My invention will be defined in the claims.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings, Figure 1 shows a vertical section of my warehouse on line a", as of Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the lower tier on line y y of Fig. 1, the carrier and storage-receptacle being in a different position. Fig. 3 is a vertical section on linezz of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a detail (parts being in section) showing a storage-receptacle entering or leaving a compartment. Fig. 5 is'an elevation transverse to Fig. 4.. Fig. 6 is a detail plan view of part of two of the storage'compartments, showing the tracks in the same. Fig. 7 is an enlarged plan View of Fig. 4, parts being in section. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail of Fig. 5, the motor-box and other parts being in section to show the mechanismfor making connection between the motor and the storagereceptacle to move the same; and Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail of one corner. of the storagebox and track, showing the roller or wheel construction.

In the usual construction of storage-warehouses furniture and other articles to be stored are commonly loaded into a van and carried to the warehouse, where they are stored all together with previously-received articles on one of the floors. This arrangement necessitates handling each piece of furniture between the van and the place where they are stored, and the articles are usually considerably scratched and broken both in transportation in the van, in transferring the same into the warehouse, and by being storedtogether with other lots on the warehousefloor. In such an arrangement the different Serial No. 68,586. (No model-J lots are liable to become mixed together and injured by the moving of other lots, and if a fire breaks out on one floor all the lots on that floor are liable to be destroyed or injured.

In my preferred construction illustrated in the drawings I have provided a large wheeled box, )referably made of metal and having suitable locked doors at one end and otherwise constructed as hereinafter explained, which may be loaded onto a truck and carried to the place from which the articles are to be taken. The box is preferably twelve feet long, six feet four inches Wide, and seven feet high; but the size may be varied to suit circumstances. The furniture and other articles to be stored may be packed in the box while still on the truck under the direction of the person storing the articles, the doors locked, and the key given to the owner on the spot. The articles cannot thereafter be injured by handling nor be stolen, and the owner will know that they are in a burglar, moth, and fire proof box and are kept separate from other lots in the storehouse and are still packed as directed by him. The box is then taken on the truck to the storehouse and stored away, as hereinafter described.

I prefer to construct my warehouse as follows: The outer walls of the building may be of any fireproof construction. Inside the walls is built a framework of steel or other fireproof construction having tiers 1, 2,3, 850., of compartments, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Fig. 2 shows a plan view in section of one of the tiers. The construction is preferably in skeleton formt-hat is, without flooring throughout the tiers and also without separating-partitions between the compartmentsas the space occupied by a box constitutes a compartment whether there is any construction separating the compartments or not. The framework may be built of I-beam and angle-iron construction, as shown. The girders 4, Figs. 3, 4, and 5, are preferably I-beams riveted to angle-iron pillars 5. In the construction illustrated there is no flooring on the girders, and the interior of the building is thus a skeleton framework of steel. If it is desired to alter the building, floor-arches may be put in between the I-girders.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, I may have one or more aisles or passages 6 running down LII each tier, and preferably on each sideof each aisle the framework divides the space into a series of storage-compartments for the reception of the storage-receptacles.

The storage receptacles are preferably sheet-steel boxes 7, made air-tight and closed by doors in one end, as shownin Fig. 5, which may be locked. Screw-plugs 8, Figs. 4, 5, and 8, in the top and bottom may be provided, by which a sterilizing-Vapor may be introduced into the box or steam to put out possible spontaneous combustion. The box may run on wheels or rollers 9, as shown, and in Fig. 9 I have illustrated a detail section of this roller construction. Over channel-iron 10 on the bottom of the box an arched metal piece 11 is riveted, which incloses the roller and protects it. The roller turns on an antifriction-bushing 12, fixed on pin 13 in arched piece 11. I preferably have a track entering each compartment, and this track may be formed of U -shaped channel-rails 14 14, made of metal and bolted to L-shaped runners 15, Fig. 9, attached to the pillars 5. The .wheels on the box run in this track, so that the box may be easily run into or out from its compartment.

In order to transport the box to its compartment, I have provided a carrier 16, Fig. 7, preferably-formed of metal framework and provided with wheels 17 18, running on a track consisting of rails 19, extending down each aisle. The carrier preferably fits the track in each aisle. Transverse rails 20 on the carrier register with the rails 14 in the compartments and fit the wheels on the box.

The carrier 16 is preferably automobile that is, mechanical power is suitably provided to move it along the aisle. A source of power, such as an electric motor 21, Fig. 7, may move along with it, and I preferably mount this motor on the carrier itself, as shown, and I may connect it by suitable gearing to the wheels 18 of the carrier, so that it will move the carrier. A gear-Wheel22 on the armatureshaft may be connected to gear 23 and that to gear 24 on shaft 25, which passes loosely through gear 26, which meshes with gear 27 on wheel -shaft 28. .A clutch 29 slides on a feather (not shown) or a squared portion on shaft 25 and engages clutch portion 30, which is fixed to gear 26 and within which shaft 25 turns loosely. A collar.3l is located within a circular slot in clutch 29 and is connected to a lever 32, Figs. 4 and 5, for shifting the clutch. When the clutch is thrown from the position shown in Fig. 7 to that where it engages clutch portion 30, the power of the motor will be transmitted to the wheels l8 of the carrier and will move the carrier along the track. A controller-switch 33, having resistance-blocks 34, may be provided for starting, stopping, reversing, and varying the speed of the armature. The electrical connections are not shown, as they would be obvious to any electrical mechanic. The carrier may thus be moved along the aisle and stopped at any point desired. 1

In order to move the box off from the carrier and into its compartment, I preferably have a rack fixed to the box, as shown, and provided with an extension 36, Fig. 4, pivoted so that it may swing up out of the way, but may extend out into the path of the carrier, as shown in Fig. 7. A pinion or gearwheel 37, sliding on a feather, Fig. 8, on shaft 38, may be thrown outward by lever 39 and mesh with rack 35 and the extension 36 therefrom, and this pinion may be rotated by suitable connection, as shown, with a clutch portion 40, loosely surrounding shaft 25 and with which clutch 29 may engage. When the motor is started, the box will thus be moved in one direction or the other, either out of or into its compartment. A similar pinion 41 on the other side of the carrier may be employed for moving the boxes on the opposite side of the aisle, and the box may also have a similar rack on the other side, as shown in Fig. 7, for engagement by this pinion when the box is to be inserted in a compartment on the other side of the aisle.

42 is an elevator, preferably having a track 43, registering with the tracks in each aisle,

to convey the carrier and box to the proper tier. 7

44 is a pivoted counterweighted platform having a track 45, registering with that on the elevator, upon which the carrier may be run out of the building. The truck 46 may have a track 47, registering with the transverse rails 20 on the carrier, and may be guided to the proper position with relation to platform 44 by a track 48.

When the box is brought to the warehouse, the carrier runs out onthe platform, and by the rack on the box and pinion on the carrier the box is drawn onto the transverse track 20 on the carrier The carrier is then run onto the elevator and raised to the proper tier, where it is run off to the proper compartment and the box inserted, as heretoforedescribed.

My invention has many advantages not herein described, and I am aware that many changes may be made in the constructions herein set forth without departing from my invention, and therefore I do not limit myself to the embodiments heretofore described and illustrated.

1. In a storage-warehouse in combination an aisle, storage-compartments along said aisle, storage-receptacles adapted to be inserted in said compartments, a carrier for one of said receptacles adapted totravel along said aisle and provided with means to insert said receptacle in one of said compartments.

2. In a storage-warehouse in combination an aisle, a track along the same, storage-compartments along said aisle, storage-recepta- IIO cles adapted to be inserted in said compartments, and a wheeled carrier for one of said receptacles adapted to travel along said track and provided with means to insert said receptacle in one of said compartments. 7

3. .In a'storage-warehouse in combination an aisle, storage-compartments along said aisle, a track running into each compartment, wheeled storage-receptacles adapted to run on said compartment-tracks and be inserted in said compartments, a carrier for one of said receptacles adapted to travel along said aisle and provided with means to insert said receptacle in one of said compartments.

4. In a storage-warehouse in combination an aisle, a track along the same, storage-compartments along said aisle, a transverse track running into each compartment, wheeled storage-boxes adapted to run on said compartment-tracks and be inserted in said compartments, a wheeled carrier for one of said receptacles adapted to travel along said aisletrack and provided with means to insert said receptacle in one of said compartments, and means to control the movement of said carrier and box in either direction.

5. In a storage-warehouse in combination an aisle, a track along the same, storage-compartments along said aisle, a transverse track running into each compartment, wheeled storage-receptacles adapted to run on said compartment-tracks and be inserted in said coinpartments, a wheeled carrier for one of said receptacles adapted to travel along said aisletraclr, means on said carrier to move the same along said track, said carrier also being provided with means to insert said receptacle in one of said compartments, means to control the movement of said carrier and receptacle in either direction, and an elevator upon which said carrier may travel adapted to raise said carrier to said aisle.

6. In a storage-warehouse in combination an aisle, storage-compartments at each side of said aisle, storage-receptacles adapted to be inserted in said compartments and a carrier for said receptacles adapted to travel along said aisle and provided with means to insert said receptacles in said compartments at either side of said aisle.

7. In a storagewarehouse in combination an aisle, a track along the same, storage-compartments at each side'of said aisle, storagereceptacles adapted to be inserted in said compartments, a wheeled carrier for said receptacles adapted to travel along said aisletrack, means on said carrier to move the same alongsaid track, said carrier being also provided with means to insert said receptacles in said compartments at either side of said aisle, and means to control the'movement of said carrier and receptacle in either direction.

8. In a storage-warehouse in combination an aisle, storage -compartments along said aisle,storage-receptacles adapted to be inserted in said compartments, a carrier for one of said receptacles adapted to travel along said aisle and provided with means to remove said receptacle from its compartment and load it onto said carrier.

9. In combination an aisle, a storage-compartment at the side thereof, a storage-receptacle adapted to be inserted therein, a carrier for said receptacle adapted to travel along said aisle, a source of power moving with said carrier, and a connection between said source of power and receptacle whereby said receptacle may be moved 0% from said carrier and inserted in said compartment.

10. In combination an aisle, a storage-compartment at the side thereof, a storage-receptacle adapted to be inserted therein, a carrier for said receptacle adapted to travel along said aisle, a source of power moving with said carrier, and a rack-and-pinion connection between said source of power and receptacle whereby said receptacle may be moved olf from said carrier and inserted in said compartment.

11. In combination an aisle, a storage-compartment at the side thereof, a storage-receptacle adapt-ed to be inserted therein, a carrier for said receptacle adapted to travel along said aisle, a source of power moving with said carrier, and a rack-and-pinion connection between said source of power and receptacle whereby said receptacle may be moved ofi from said carrier and inserted in said compartment, said rack being located on said receptacle and said pinion on said carrier.

12. In'combination an aisle, a storage-compartment at the side thereof, a storage-receptacle adapted to be inserted therein, a carrier for said receptacle adapted to travel along said aisle, a source of power moving with said carrier, and a rack-and-pinion connection between said source of power and receptacle whereby said receptacle may be moved ofi from said carrier and inserted in said compartment, said rack being located on said receptacle and said pinion on said carrier, and means on said carrier to move said pinion laterally to engage said rack.

13. In combination an aisle, a storage-compartment at the side thereof, a storage-receptacle adapted to be inserted therein, acarrier for said receptacle adapted to travel along said aisle, a source of power moving with said carrier, and a connection between said source of power and receptacle whereby said receptacle may be moved out of said compartment onto said carrier and also off from said carrie'rinto said compartment.

14. In combination an aisle, a storage-compartment at the side thereof, astorage-receptacle adapted to be inserted therein, an auto-- mobile carrier adapted to travel along said aisle, a sourceof power moving with said carrier, a detachable connection between said source of power and receptacle whereby said receptacle may be moved off from said carrier and inserted in said compartment.

15. In combination an aisle, storage-compartments along the same, receptacles adapt ed to be inserted in said compartments, a wheeled carrier for said receptacles adapted to travel along said aisle, a source of power moving with said carrier and connected with a wheel on said carrier to move the same in either direction, and means to connect said source of power with said receptacles and move the same into said compartments and also out of the same.

16. In combination an aisle, storage-compartments along the same, storage-receptacles adapted to be inserted in said compartments, a wheeled carrier for said receptacles adapted to travel along said aisle, an electric motor moving with said carrier and connecting with a wheel on said carrier to move the same in either direction, and means to connect said motor with said receptacles'and move the same into said compartments and also out of the same, and means to control the speed of said motor.

17. In combination an aisle, a storage-compartment at the side thereof, a storage-receptacle adapted to be inserted therein and provided with a rack, a carrier for said receptacle adapted to travel along said aisle, an extension fromsaid rack adapted to project into the path of movement of said carrier, a source of power moving with said carrier, a pinion connected with said source of power and adapted to engage said extension from said rack to move said receptacle.

18. In combination a buildinghaving a plurality of tiers, an aisle on each of said tiers, storage-compartments along said aisles, an elevator adapted to pass each of said aisles, a track down each of said aisles, a track on said elevatorregisterin g with said aisle-tracks, storage-receptacles adapted to be inserted in said compartments, a carrier having wheels adapted to run on said aisle-tracks, said carrier having a transverse track adapted to register with tracks in some of said compartments,said receptacles having Wheels adapted to run on said latter tracks.

. 19. In combinationabnilding havinga plurality of tiers constructed of skeleton metal framework, an aisle on each of said tiers, storage-compartments along said aisles, an

elevator adapted to pass each of said aisles,-

a track down each of said aisles, a track on said elevator registering with said aisletracks, storage-receptacles adapted to be inserted in said compartments, a carrier having wheels adapted to run on said aisle-tracks, said carrier having a transverse track adapted to register with tracks in some of said compartments, said receptacles having wheels adapted to run on said latter tracks.

20. In combination a buildinghaving a plurality of tiers constructed of skeleton metal framework, an aisle on each of said tiers, storage-compartments along said aisles, an elevator adapted to pass each of said aisles, a track down each of said aisles, a track on said elevator registering with said aisletracks, storage-receptacles adapted to be inserted in said compartments, a carrier having wheels adapted to run on said aisle-tracks, said carrier having a transverse track adapted to register with tracks in some of said compartments, said receptacles having wheels adapted to run on said latter tracks, and a source of power moving with said carrier and adapted to propel the same, means to connect said source of power with a receptacle on said carrier to move the same therefrom andinto one of said compartments.

21. In combination a buildinghavinga plurality of tiers, an aisle on each of said tiers, storage-compartments alonglsaid aisles, an elevator adapted to passeach of said aisles, a track down each of said aisles, a track on said elevator registering withv said aisletracks, storage-receptacles. adapted to be inserted in said compartments, a carrier having wheels adapted to run on saidaisle-tracks, said carrier having a transverse track adapted to register with tracks'in some of said compartments, said receptacles having wheels adapted to run on said latter tracks, and a source of power moving with said carrier and adapted to propel the same, and means to connect said source of power with a receptacle on said carrier to move the same therefrom and into one of said compartments.

22. In combination a building having aplurality of tiers COHStI'llOlZGdEOf skeleton metal framework, an aisle on each of said tiers, an elevator passing each of .said aisles, storagecompartments at each side of said aisles also composed of skeleton metal framework, tracks down said aisles, transverse tracks in said compartments, storage-receptacles having wheels adapted to run on said transverse tracks, a wheeled carrier running on one of said aisle-tracks, a transverse track on said carrier adapted to register with some of said compartment-tracks, a source of power moving with said carrier and adapted to be con nected with a receptacle on said carrier to move the same and also adapted to move said carrier along said aisle-track, and a track on said elevator adapted tov register with said aisle-track. I

23. In combination a building having a plurality of tiers constructed of skeleton metal framework, an aisle on each of said tiers, an'

elevator passing each of said aisles, storagecompartments at each side of said aisles also composed of skeleton metal framework, tracks down said aisles, transverse tracks in said compartments, storage-receptacles having wheels adapted to run on said transverse tracks, a wheeled carrier running on one of said aisle-tracks, a transverse track on said carrier adapted to register with some of said compartment-tracks, a source of power moving with said carrier and adapted to be connected with a receptacle on said carrier to move the same and also adapted to move said carrier along said aisle-track, and a track on said elevator adapted to register with said aisle-track, and means to reverse the power applied to said carrier and receptacle to move the same in the opposite direction.

24. In a storage-warehouse in combination an aisle,storage-compartments along each side of the same, storage-receptacles adapted to be inserted therein, a carrier for said receptacles adapted to travel along said aisle, a source of power moving with said carrier, and means adapted to connect said source of power with a receptacle on either side of said aisle and move the same out of its compartment and onto said carrier. and also off from said carrier into said compartment.

25. In a storage-warehousein combination an aisle,storage-compartments along each side of the same, storage-receptacles adapted to be inserted therein, a wheeled carrier for said receptacles adapted to travel along said aisle, a source of power moving with said carrier, means adapted to connect said source of power with a receptacle on either side of said aisle and move the same out of its compartment and onto said carrier, and means to connect said source of power with a wheel on said carrier to move the same along said aisle.

26. In a storage-warehouse in combination an aisle,storage-compartments alongeach side of the same, storage-receptacles adapted to be inserted therein, a wheeled carrier for said receptacles adapted to travel along said aisle, a source of power moving with said carrier, means adapted to connect said source of power with a receptacle on either side of said aisle and move the same out of its compartment and onto said carrier, and means to connect said source of power with a wheel on said carrier to move the same along said aisle, and a device to disconnect said source of power from said wheel on said carrier and connect it with said receptacle-moving mechanism.

27. In a storage-warehouse in combination an aisle,storage-compartments along each side of the same, storage-receptacles adapted to be inserted therein, a wheeled carrier for said receptacles adapted to travel along said aisle, a source of power moving with said carrier, means adapted to connect said source of power with a receptacle on either side of said aisle and move the same out of its compartment and onto said carrier, and means to connect said source of power with a wheel on said carrier to move the same along said aisle, and a device to disconnect said source of power from said wheel on said carrier and connect it with said receptacle-moving mechanism, a track along said aisle on which said carrier runs, and transverse tracks in said compartments on which said receptacles run.

28. In a storage-warehouse in combination an aisle, a storage-compartment at one side thereof, a track along said aisle, a transverse track in said compartment, a wheeled receptacle adapted to run on said transverse track, a receptacle-carrier adapted to run on said aisle-track and having a transverse track registering with said compartment-track, and a wagon having a track adapted to register with said transverse track on said carrier.

29. In a storage-warehouse in combination an aisle, a storage-compartment at one side thereof, a track along said aisle, a transverse track in said compartment, a wheeled receptacle adapted to run on said transverse track, a receptacle-carrier adapted to run on said aisle-track and having a transverse track registering with said compartment-track, and a wagon having a track adapted to register with said transverse track on said carrier, a source of power on said carrier, and means to apply said power to move said carrier along said track and also to move said receptacle on said transverse track.

30. In a storage-warhouse in combination a passage-way, storage-compartments along the same, a storage receptacle adapted to travel along said passage-way and be inserted in one of said compartments, wheeled mechanism to carry said receptacle along said passage-way, a source of power moving along said passage-way with said wheeled mechanism to propel the same, and means to insert said receptacle in said compartment.

31. In a storage-warehouse in combination a passage-way, a plurality of storage-compartments along the same opening into said passage-way, storage-receptacles adapted to be transferred along said passage-way and be inserted into said compartments, a source of power adapted to move itself and said receptacles along said passage-way to the proper compartments and then insert the receptacles therein.

32. A closed storage-receptacle made of fireproof material and provided at one side, such as one end, with a locked door, in combination with a warehouse provided with a passage-way and storage-compartments along the same intoone of which said receptacle may be inserted, a source of power adapted to move itself and said receptacle along said passageway, and mechanical power transmitting means to insert said receptacle into said compartment.

Signed at New York, N. Y., this 15th day of July, 1901.

REUBEN l3. AYRES.

Witnesses:

EMERSON R. NEWELL, A. L. AYRES. 

